Technocrats and experts have unanimously called for the review of Nigeria’s foreign policy, emphasizing that it is long overdue.
The consensus was reached during a Roundtable discussion organized by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), held in Lagos on Thursday with the theme: “Charting the Way Forward for Nigeria’s Foreign Policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
According to the Director-General of the NIIA Professor Eghosa Osaghae, the review is necessary to align Nigeria’s foreign policy with current realities and meet the demands of the Nigerian people.
He stated: “The obligations of the government to the citizens of the country is a the core of all we’re asking for. We need to build productive capacities within and in today’s globalised world, you cannot do that in isolation from the rest of the world.
“Nigeria’s foreign policy should undergo a thorough review with the view to meet up with the people’s demand,” he said, while stressing the importance of political reforms in shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy.
Addressing the challenges in Nigeria’s foreign policy, Osaghe acknowledged Nigeria’s stable democracy over the past 24 years but highlighted challenges such as illicit trading, transnational flow, drugs, human trafficking, and insecurities, which affect global economic development and regional diplomacy.
He called for an “externalization of foreign policy” and emphasized the importance of a state’s legitimate consideration in international relations.
The Director General urged the new administration led by President Bola Tinubu to support and collaborate with the Institute as the agency responsible for tracking Nigerian foreign policy.
The Cameroonian Consular to Nigeria Bessem Manga, highlighted the need for increased cross-border trade between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Manga called on President Tinubu to remove barriers and create opportunities for investors and private sector producers on both sides.
“We urge President Tinubu to allow investors and private sector producers to explore larger markets,” she said.
Expressing China’s readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in preparing both countries for stronger economic global relations, the Consul General of the Republic of China in Nigeria Yan Yuqing, said: “We are ready to work with Nigerians to enhance our economic ties and create new opportunities that will take Nigeria to a new level”.
China holds the position as Nigeria’s largest exporter of goods and services, and Yuqing stressed China’s dedication to advancing the digital upgrade of Nigeria’s technologies, a partnership aimed at bringing about significant advancements and development to the country.
Yuqing further expressed her love and fondness for Nigerian delicacies and revealed she has adopted a Nigerian name, “Uchechi”, which means “God’s will”, to the admiration of her audience.
A Senior Research Fellow at the NIIA Joshua Bolarinwa, discussed the challenges faced by Nigeria’s Foreign Policy from 1999 to 2023.
Bolarinwa highlighted the interconnectedness of states and the necessity of a systematic approach to foreign policy and defending national interests.
On his part, the Acting Director of the Research and Studies Department at the NIIA Effem Ubi, said: “Nigeria’s foreign policy attitude should be more cautious than ever before with the world in crisis and openly fraught with daily diplomatic untruths.”
The roundtable brought together scholars and stakeholders to discuss significant changes in Nigeria’s foreign policy and the need for an identifiable and robust external affairs approach.